Watching the Mountain

Chapter 59: Chapter 53: Why Don’t You Just Forget It?

According to the information Xu Ran had gathered, the current state of the world was as follows: the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm occupied the Five Domains, the Phoenix Race held four and a half, the Evil Cultivators had eight, and the Demon Race possessed nine and a half.

As for why the term ”half-domain” existed, it was said that in a long-distant era, a battle had been so brutal that it had forcibly torn a domain asunder, splitting it in two.

It was no wonder the Evil and Demon Races were willing to sacrifice a domain to set a trap. Compared to the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm and the Phoenix Race, they were truly wealthy and had calculated that their targets would be unable to refuse the bait.

As this information surfaced in his mind, Xu Ran couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh. He quickened his pace, heading toward his Cave Mansion.

’A great change is coming. I need to get stronger, and fast. Every bit of strength I gain is another layer of protection for myself.’

The next day, Xu Ran went to see the Spirit Stream Peak Master. He explained that he’d had some recent insights and wished to resign from his position at the Instructor Hall to enter seclusion and break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The Spirit Stream Peak Master was still in a terrible state, completely consumed by grief. However, upon hearing Xu Ran’s request, he forced himself to rally and processed the necessary paperwork for him.

He then studied Xu Ran, a hesitant look on his face. After pondering for a long moment, he finally spoke.

”Elder Xu, about your breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage... do you know how many Foundation Establishment Pills you’ll need? If it’s a large number, it would be best to let us know beforehand. That way, the Sect can make preparations and we can avoid any insufficient supply issues that might affect your breakthrough.”

The Spirit Stream Peak Master was deeply aware of Xu Ran’s ”talent,” as he interacted with him frequently. To be honest, Xu Ran’s very existence had, in a way, broadened his horizons.

Xu Ran was taken aback by the question. He remembered Yue Qingyu telling him that the Sect would provide him with ten Foundation Establishment Pills for free. After that, he would receive a discount, and after thirty pills, he would have to purchase them at full price.

After a moment of thought, he replied, ”In that case, I’ll just apply for the free quota the Sect provides.”

The Spirit Stream Peak Master nodded. ”Alright. So how many would that be? It’s just so the Sect can prepare.”

”You need to prepare in advance for just ten Foundation Establishment Pills? Has the Sect’s situation become that dire?”

Xu Ran was astonished. Foundation Establishment Pills might be precious to low-level Cultivators, but for a Sect like the Profound Pure Sect, which had several Nascent Soul True Monarchs in its ranks, they were a standard resource. As long as a disciple met the requirements for a breakthrough, they could apply for them. At worst, if too many disciples applied at once, they might have to wait a year or two.

”You only need ten?” The Spirit Stream Peak Master glanced at him in surprise, then gave a slight nod and a smile.

”If that’s the case, then there’s no need to prepare ahead of time. I had assumed you might require a few more, which is why I asked.”

”But isn’t the Sect’s free quota only ten pills?”

”That was the old policy. The Sect’s support for you is now unlimited. As long as you need them for your breakthrough—to put it dramatically—even if you asked for ten thousand pills, the Sect would provide them to you as a top priority.”

The Spirit Stream Peak Master watched Xu Ran’s reaction, chuckled, and waved his hand dismissively. ”You don’t need to be so surprised. Given your contributions, this is perfectly normal.”

”And it’s not just for the Foundation Establishment Stage. In the future, when you’re breaking through to the Purple Mansion Stage or the Golden Core Stage—if you have the chance to go even further and attempt the Nascent Soul Divinity Transformation—the Sect will support you with everything it has.”

Seeing Xu Ran’s stunned expression, he smiled. ”So, what do you say? Care for a few more? How about we start with a few hundred?”

Xu Ran’s expression was dazed for a moment before he replied, somewhat speechless, ”A few hundred? That’s ridiculous. Ten or so should be more than enough, at most.”

The Spirit Stream Peak Master froze at his words. He then scratched his head, an embarrassed look on his face. ”Oh, right. That is a bit much, isn’t it?”

He had just been focused on Xu Ran’s poor talent and, on top of that, felt guilty toward him because of what had happened with his disciple. He was just trying to show his enthusiasm as a way to compensate Xu Ran, and in doing so, had subconsciously ignored basic common sense.

’A few hundred pills? He’d probably be riddled with holes before he even broke through, right?’

He then shook his head, his expression bleak, and waved a hand at Xu Ran. ”Never mind. Elder Xu, just pretend that last bit never happened. When you need the Foundation Establishment Pills, just ask.”

He sighed to himself. ’Maybe it’s time for me to step down as Peak Master.’

*

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*

On the way back, Xu Ran couldn’t stop thinking about the Spirit Stream Peak Master. Ever since the incident with his disciple, he hadn’t been the same. The blow must have been too great for him. He was often distracted and dazed, his expression vacant. He’d just casually suggested something as absurd as a few hundred Foundation Establishment Pills as if it were perfectly normal.

It made him feel a faint sense of worry. He had no idea when the man would be able to recover from such a devastating blow.

Even though the Peak Master’s disciple had tried to harm him, Xu Ran had no ill will toward the Peak Master himself. He was, truly, a perfect Peak Master.

If the man never recovered and a new Peak Master was appointed, Xu Ran worried if his current peaceful and comfortable life would continue.

After returning to his Cave Mansion, Xu Ran told Little Xiyue that he was going into seclusion for his breakthrough.

Hearing this, Little Xiyue instantly perked up. She put down the Array she was studying and hurried over to him, a bright smile on her face.

”Master, I have some experience with breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. Should I share it with you, just so you have something to go on?”

Xu Ran was quite comfortable with the role reversal between them. Little Xiyue’s Cultivation Realm was already higher than his, so it was perfectly reasonable for her to pass on her experience. Even if she hadn’t offered, he would have asked her when the time came to make his attempt.

Then, just a few days after Xu Ran resigned from his position at the Instructor Hall, news spread through the Sect: Shen Wuchen had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Shen Wuchen’s breakthrough shocked everyone. Given the level of strength and comprehension of the Dao he had displayed at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, everyone had believed that reaching Foundation Establishment was basically a lost cause for him.

Or rather, if he were to ever break through, it would have to be in another ten or twenty years, maybe even longer, after he had managed to perfect his comprehension of Dao Rhyme. Only then would he have had a chance.

But against all expectations, he had broken through this quickly. How long had it been since he reached the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer? Only a few years.

Many people couldn’t fathom how he had managed it.

As the focus of everyone’s discussions, the first thing Shen Wuchen did after his breakthrough was find Xu Ran to share the good news.

When he heard that Xu Ran was also preparing to enter seclusion for his breakthrough, he had the same reaction as Little Xiyue.

”Master Xu, I just broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and I happen to have some insights I can share with you.”

Seeing the enthusiasm on Shen Wuchen’s face, Xu Ran faltered. He hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, ”How about... you just don’t?”

Hearing this, Shen Wuchen’s face stiffened. He stared at Xu Ran, his eyes wide with disbelief.

He looked utterly wronged. ’What is the meaning of this? You were the one who led me down this path, and now you’re looking down on me?’